'These are not radical ideas': Hundreds of progressives talk politics in Burlington

'These are not radical ideas': Hundreds of progressives talk politics in Burlington

The first Sanders Institute Gathering kicked off Thursday, with big names in attendance

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Updated: 11:15 PM EST Nov 29, 2018

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WEBVTT TONIGHT PEOPLE WERE READY TO GO. THERE WERE A LOT OF BIG NAMES IN THAT ROOM TONIGHT. MORE THAN 250 PROGRESSIVES, INCLUDING SOME FROM THE BIG SCREEN DESCENDING ON BURLINGTON THIS WEEK. HAVE THEM DISCUSSED TOGETHER IS WHAT WE CAN DO, COME UP WITH BOLD IDEAS AND MOVE FORWARD. TOM G.: THE FIRST SANDERS INSTITUTE GATHERING IS WHAT LED THEM ALL HERE. THEY’LL BE BREAKING DOWN LEFT-LEANING ISSUES, LIKE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. THEY HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT. TOM G.: ACTORS DANNY GLOVER, AND SUSAN SARANDON MAKING THE TRIP. ALONGSIDE ACTIVISTS LIKE CORNEL WEST, AND POLITICAL LEADERS TOO. THESE ARE NOT RADICAL IDEAS, UNLESS YOU THINK JUSTICE FOR ALL IS A RADICAL IDEA. TOM G. SAN JUAN MAYOR CARMEN CRUZ SAYS SHE WANTS NOT ONLY TO FOCUS ON THE IDEAS THEMSELVES, >> MAKE SURE THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA MATERIALIZES IN CONCRETE LEGISLATIVE ACTION. TOM G.: AND THE GATHERING COMES AT A TIME WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER. >> TODAY IS GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS. TOM G.: WILL THE VERMONT SENATOR MAKE ANOTHER RUN AT THE WHITE HOUSE? >> IF HE HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO DEFEAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HE THINKS THAT HE IS THAN HE WILL PROBABLY RUN. IF HE THINKS THERE IS SOMEBODY ELSE THAT CAN DO A BETTER HE WILL PROBABLY SUPPORT THEM. TOM G.: JANE SANDERS SAYS THIS CONFERENCE ISN’T ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAMPAIGN. HER HUSBAND SAYS IT’S ABOUT CONTINUING TO HAVE THEIR IDEAS CONTINUE TO COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS. WEEK, AS PROGRESSIVES HAVE THE GUTS TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES YOU WILL N

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'These are not radical ideas': Hundreds of progressives talk politics in Burlington

The first Sanders Institute Gathering kicked off Thursday, with big names in attendance

Some 250 progressive politicians and activists are taking to the Queen City this week for the Sanders Institute Gathering."And have them discuss together what we can do; come up with bold ideas and move forward," said Jane Sanders, wife of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Big political names are in town to talk progressive ideas like universal health care, including New York City Mayor Bill DiBlasio and San Juan, Puerto Rico Mayor Carmen Cruz, as well as actors Danny Glover and Susan Sarandon."Hispanic people, the voices of Asian people, the voices of African-American people, those voices have to be a part of this here," Glover said.Some will be leading panels and discussions at the Gathering. DiBlasio and Cruz will host a roundtable regarding issues they've overcome in their cities.As keynote speaker Bernie Sanders addressed the crowd, someone asked if there will be a Bernie 2020 campaign for the White House. Sanders laughed it off. His wife tells NBC5 that the Vermont senator is still mulling it over."If he thinks he has the best chance to defeat President (Donald) Trump and if he thinks that he is, he'll probably run," she said. "If somebody else can do it better, he'll support them."The Gathering runs through Saturday.

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

Some 250 progressive politicians and activists are taking to the Queen City this week for the Sanders Institute Gathering.

"And have them discuss together what we can do; come up with bold ideas and move forward," said Jane Sanders, wife of Sen. Bernie Sanders.

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Big political names are in town to talk progressive ideas like universal health care, including New York City Mayor Bill DiBlasio and San Juan, Puerto Rico Mayor Carmen Cruz, as well as actors Danny Glover and Susan Sarandon.

"Hispanic people, the voices of Asian people, the voices of African-American people, those voices have to be a part of this here," Glover said.

Some will be leading panels and discussions at the Gathering.

DiBlasio and Cruz will host a roundtable regarding issues they've overcome in their cities.

As keynote speaker Bernie Sanders addressed the crowd, someone asked if there will be a Bernie 2020 campaign for the White House.

Sanders laughed it off. His wife tells NBC5 that the Vermont senator is still mulling it over.

"If he thinks he has the best chance to defeat President (Donald) Trump and if he thinks that he is, he'll probably run," she said. "If somebody else can do it better, he'll support them."